Box Score UNION, NJ – The Rowan University men's basketball team ended the game with eight straight points for an 81-79 conference win at Kean University on Wednesday night.
 
Guard Nick DePersia (jr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) hit a three-pointer at the 23-second mark, which gave the Profs the lead 80-79.  With 12 seconds on the clock, forward TJ Booth (sr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) made the first of two foul shots for the final score.  Prior to DePersia's three, forward Ramon Wright (jr. East Orange, NJ/Irvington) had a dunk (1:07) and guard Rob DePersia (jr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) sank two free throws (1:18).
 
Nick DePersia finished with 17 points while Rob DePersia and Wright each contributed with 16.  Wright also grabbed 11 rebounds while Rob DePersia dished six assists.  Booth recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards.  Guard Jeff Haddock (so. Burlington, NJ/Willingboro) chipped in with 10 points.
 
Rowan improves to 8-5 overall and 4-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.  The Cougars drop to 3-9 on the season and 1-5 in the conference.
 
For Kean, guard DeAndre Thomas (jr. Reston, VA/Herndon) scored a game-high 19 points.  Guards Keenan Williams Jr. (jr. Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro) and Justin Watson (jr. New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) produced 15 and 14 points respectively.  Williams also collected nine rebounds and five assists while Watson pulled down 10 boards.  Guard Stephen Strom (so. Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) had 11 points. 
 
The Cougars started the second half with a two-point advantage (48-46).  The score was tied three times in the first 6:27.  The last tie was at 60 (13:33) after Haddock's two points at the line.  Kean went ahead by 10 (70-60) at 10:10 after 10 unanswered points.  Thomas made seven of the 10 points in the surge.  The Profs pulled within three (70-67) after Booth's layup with 8:01 remaining. 
 
Thomas' basket (3:55) put Kean up 74-67.  Rob DePersia followed with a three-pointer (3:46) and Wright had a three-point play (3:23) to trail by one (74-73).  The Cougars led by six points (79-73) at 1:58 after two foul shots by Williams.  Rowan then recorded the victory with eight straight points.  Rob DePersia led the Profs with 10 points and Booth scored nine in the final period.
 
Rowan's next game is against New Jersey City University in Glassboro on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 3 p.m.